Rebuilding in Bangladesh

first published: June 12, 2008 – Gospel for Asia

Bangladesh’s population is 90 percent Muslim.

Cyclones rip through Bangladesh almost every year. Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh last November, slamming the southern edge of the country with 100 mile-per-hour winds and instantly killing thousands of people. But now, hope has sprung up where despair once ruled.

The Lord has provided opportunities for Gospel for Asia missionaries to minister in the face of the tragedy, and the outreach is still going on today. The GFA missionaries who helped with the relief work are now planning to build 200 houses for the cyclone survivors to help them get a new start in life. At the same time, they consistently offer the hope found in Christ—and they have started several fellowships in cyclone-affected areas.

Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh last November, slamming the southern edge of the country with 100 mile-per-hour winds and instantly killing thousands of people.

After the cyclone, thousands were dead—some sources estimated up to 10,000—and many more people waited for relief efforts to save their lives. Since much of southern Bangladesh is flat, flooding spread quickly over a large area. For a month, flooding and wreckage impeded the transportation of desperately needed relief items. Adding to the situation, bodies began to decay, creating a stench.

Thousands of Bangladeshis were left desperate for aid after Cyclone Sidr hit the country.

“People stopped looking for their relatives’ bodies,” our correspondent wrote. “They just looked for relief, and in some remote areas, we were able to provide it.”

GFA Compassion Services workers started with bringing loads of rice and vegetables in small boats that could travel into flooded areas and reach the hungry survivors. As the GFA Compassion Services team members ministered, they listened to people’s stories and shared the hope of the Gospel while giving out food, salt, medicine, blankets and warm clothing. They were able to help a total of 1,100 families with basic relief aid.

The people were grateful, and today they have fellowships where they can learn about the God whose love inspired the GFA teams’ service. The teams also helped 50 Christian families who were affected by the cyclone.

Our correspondent asks for prayer for these missionaries to keep reaching people with the restoring message of salvation. He also requests prayer that God will provide for the 200 homes to be built.

GFA Compassion Services teams are often the first to reach disaster areas.